Call for biotechnological approach to degrade plastic in the era of COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: Plastic pollution is a global issue and has become a major concern since Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19. In developing nations, landfilling and illegal waste disposal are typical ways to dispose of COVID-19-infected material. These technologies worsen plastic pollution and other human and animal health problems. Plastic degrades in light and heat, generating hazardous primary and secondary micro-plastic. Certain bacteria can degrade artificial polymers using genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways. Microorganisms including bacteria degrade petrochemical plastics slowly. High molecular weight, strong chemical bonds, and excessive hydrophobicity reduce plastic biodegradation. There is not enough study on genes, enzymes, and bacteria-plastic interactions. Synthetic biology, metabolic engineeri

SUBMITTER: Ali S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9893805 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature